It's Finally Over (Election 2012) and the Tragedy in Newtown, CT

Now that Obama has been elected to serve another 4 years do you feel that he will be able to turn the economy around or do you feel that as a result of his policies the economy will continue to stagnate?

Were you surprised at the outcome of the election?

Although Paul Ryan seems to be a nice guy and a good politician, did you feel that his nomination as VP almost guaranteed victory for the "left"?

Do you feel that if Marco Rubio had been selected for VP, his nomination may have helped to pull in more of the Latino vote?

Do you feel that overall the Republicans are somewhat out of touch with mainstream America?

Following in Indiana's footsteps, Michigan's senate recently passed the right to work bill banning mandatory union dues for workers. The president claims this law will suppress wages and benefits. Others feel the RTW laws will be a boon to job growth.

Last Friday in Newtown, CT all Americans and perhaps the world received an unwelcome wakeup call that all is not well in our present day society and sadly our most precious citizens, little innocent children paid the ultimate price. Strict gun control laws in CT and a newly installed security system did nothing to deter the evil intent of Adam Lanza. Some would have us believe that gun control is the answer. Yet, Australia’s forced surrender of personal firearms last year has resulted in a dramatic increase in crimes involving fire arms. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased.

Since Friday we have learned that Adam Lanza had been plagued by mental issues so severe that his mother made the decision to commit him to a mental health facility. Recent studies have revealed that only a small number of adolescents severely impaired by mental disorders receive professional help and state and federal efforts to increase youth mental health services are not working.

We have also learned that Adam Lanza shot his way through the main entrance of the school.. Clearly the school's new security measures did nothing to prevent this tragedy.

Do you feel that our country’s proclivity towards violent movies and games is a factor contributing to violent behavior in America?

In the 50’s we all practiced safety drills in school for potential fires or nuclear bombs. Today a different type of threat in the form of school shootings has become all too real. Do you feel that today’s K-12 students and teachers are in need of survival training in the event of a shooting?

In 2010, after a year in which the estate tax was zeroed out altogether, Congress passed a law that set the estate tax at 35 percent and exempted all estates under $5 million, adjusted for inflation. That law expires in January 2013 when the exemption will fall to $1 million and the tax will rise to 55 percent. As we approach the end of this year, the above law is just one example of many taxes coming “down the pike”. Instead of the emphasis on taxing the rich, are you more in favor of cost saving measures and frugal government spending.

As 2013 approaches, Congress and the President still have not reached any budgetary compromise. Are you beginning to wonder why our politicians can’t get "it together" and are you quite frankly embarrassed and disgusted with our so called government representatives?